George W. Hall: Vote yes on 2O and 2P

By now, you may have received your ballot, but for some time it has been hard to miss the fact we have an election this fall. In all the noise, it’s important to remember that we have local matters on which to vote. What’s more, this election is very important to those of us who live, work and play in this great city. We have the opportunity to continue improving and protecting our wonderful quality of life — without a tax increase.

Let’s jog our memory a little. Remember back in 2002 a group of residents thought we really needed to do some things to improve everyone’s quality of life here in our beautiful city. A proposal asking the citizens for a 0.30 percent increase in the City’s sales and use tax for 20 years was passed by Greeley voters. The city of Greeley spent that tax money wisely and as promised, resulting in the opening of the Ice Haus, Family FunPlex, Youth Sports Complex, and new and improved parks in the community. This proposal is due to sunset in 2022.

Now, a little more voter history. In 2004, residents adopted an additional sales and use tax of 0.16 percent for 20 years, to be used for public safety facilities and staffing, including the new police headquarters on 10th Street. The city performed as promised. This proposal is due to sunset in 2024.

This year, a 22-member citizen advisory committee focused on a review of both these issues, including accomplishments with the tax revenue and where the city is today and projected to be in the future. Did you know Greeley has grown by 28,000 people since the 2000 census? A growing city needs to keep up with that growth in terms of maintaining and improving our quality of life, including transportation, public safety, recreation and cultural facilities.

After a six-month process, the committee recommended and the City Council voted to send both measures to the citizens with the recommendation that the 0.30 percent sales tax and the 0.16 percent be extended for 20 years from time of expiration. These measures are 2O (that’s O, not zero) and 2P on your ballot. They are not new taxes and you will not pay higher taxes as a result.

Why ask for approval now? Well, gaining approval now allows the city time to plan. Safe, efficient transportation is a big part of our quality of life, and it takes time to plan and successfully implement such projects as major city interchanges along US highway 34, 83rd Avenue improvements, and park and recreational improvements. It takes time to plan and execute a repositioning of the fire station on 23rd Avenue, improving traffic flow and safety for all. It takes time to plan and execute a new station to accommodate the growth to the west and new public safety equipment.

Citizens of Greeley, when it comes to the ballot box, we make our own decisions. That said, we know that the city of Greeley will perform if we give them the tools to do so. We owe it to ourselves to vote YES on ballot measure 20 to continue the 0.30 percent sales and use tax and YES on ballot measure 2P to continue the .16 percent sales and use tax.

This is a very long ballot with many statewide issues, and our two ballot measures are listed at the very bottom. Please, go to the bottom of your ballot and vote our local issues first.